—Seira Wilson, Amazon Book Review In the end, she reveals why she chose to use this device, but I think the story telling could have been more effective telling it in a straight forward manner but still revealing the twist at the end. Timely, balanced and certain to inspire debate, “A Spark of Light” is Picoult at her fearless best. I shrugged it off and just started the book. Thanks! by Ballantine Books. From the description I expected an evenhanded presentation of both sides of the issue on abortion. A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Author Jodi Picoult is no stranger to controversy, and it seems somehow fitting that she should tackle the contentious issue of a woman's right to abortion in this, her latest offering. Compelling and controversial, heartrending and touching, A Spark of Light was the type of emotional novel that will stay with readers long after they finish reading it. The format is also a bit different and unusual in the fact that the author chose to start at the end and go backward from there counting back the hours and one horrific day in the small community clinic. A Spark of Light Summary. If you read one book I recommended this year I urge you to make it this one, I feel like we can all learn something profound from this book. A Spark of Light covers an emotive topic really well and the story kept me gripped, but the weird format let it down a bit for me. 3.5/5. Then, in late morning, a desperate and distraught gunman bursts in and opens fire, taking all inside hostage. I skipp. First of all, her choice to write the entire story backwards was a poor one. I've read two other books by Jodi Picoult's and loved them both. Unfortunately, the writing device she used left me baffled for 90% of the book. Their attempts to connect with clinic visitors or convince them to choose life are ridiculed and 100% ineffective. While I’m a huge Jodi Picoult fan, the biggest emotion this book made me feel was sick over my $15 wasted dollars. The backwards timeline made it a bit confusing. Another packed season of irresistible books is just around the corner! Not I. I think Picoult planned this as a surprise twist to be revealed towards the end. Jodi Picoult is the author of twenty-six novels, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers Small Great Things, A Spark of Light, Leaving Time, The Storyteller, Lone Wolf, Between the Lines, Sing You Home, House Rules, Handle with Care, Change of Heart, Nineteen Minutes, and My Sister’s Keeper. A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult review: hesitant exploration of shooting in clinic. Jodi Picoult never shied away from controversial topics and her latest book is no exception. I know Ms. Picoult is a much better writer than this, and I'm not sure what happened. Here's Barb Bretz with a review of her latest book, A Spark of Light. A Spark of Light lives up to this reputation as it attacks the debate over abortion head-on. It was really slanted. The yarn is spun in a series of flashbacks from the moment a … Summary: The warm fall day starts like any other at the Center—a women’s reproductive health services clinic—its staff offering care to anyone who passes through its doors. I also love the vision of this novel. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. A thump of energy from the get-go, A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult is focused on a sole-surviving women’s health clinic in a deep-south state. [What was the reason for the Lil' versus Beth names? Author Jodi Picoult is no stranger to controversy, and it seems somehow fitting that she should tackle the contentious issue of a woman's right to abortion in this, her latest offering. THe book then backs up hour by hour to fill in main character’s backgrounds. by Jodi Picoult. The plot supports that position. She made no effort to understand pro-lifers. Each has their own story, including the gunman (and his family) and the negotiator (and his family). She simply explores and promotes the link between intelligence and empathy – and when both qualities are in desperately short supply, I think she’s a writer the world needs to be reading right now.” A Spark of Light may well be her most risky, ambitious, and successful endeavor to date because she at last tackles the issue of abortion. A Spark of Light could not have come out at a better time. I don’t want a novel that takes great pains to be fair to ‘both sides’, because one side does not respect the rights of women. This was a difficult book for me to read and this will not be a popular review. We’d love your help. I kept seeing it pop up everywhere and I was… She's addressed powerful topics before but in her 24th novel she pushes the hottest button of all: Abortion - with a CAPITAL “A”. Wren has missed school to come to the Center, the sole surviving women’s reproductive health clinic in the state, chaperoned by her aunt, Bex. What makes this novel especially interesting is the narrative structure: Think "Time's Arrow" by Martin Amis. Kept my attention but pro-choice propaganda, Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2018. Hope she redeems herself with her next book. She starts the story about 3/4 of he way through the day a man enters a women’s clinic, shoots and kills two women, injures others and holds hostages. Review by Deborah Donovan. A much better book to read on this issue is "The Atonement Child" by Francine Rivers. She examines abortion from the top of the iceberg and slowly works down to the broader scope of the issue, both from the perspective of pro-choice and pro-life characters. I couldn't help but read a few reviews when l clicked on the book. But right from the beginning I always assumed that she was the shoote. A Little Confusing at Frst, but Excellent Characters, Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2018. It has her trademark hard hitting subject matter and deeply moving storyline and she rips her storylines straight from the headlines like no ones else does. The reverse chronology of the chapters I found to be disjointed and annoying, and because of this I couldn't connect with any of the characters. Mass shootings are in the news constantly and abortion rights are talked about all the time … A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult is a fictional title that tackles the very tough subject of abortion so it may not be for everyone. Others are there to protest. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Plot Summary of “A Spark of Light” by Jodi Picoult. It’s been so long that I can’t recall which of her books I did read. The "twists" were cliches at best, and all were apparent to me before 25% of the book had passed. A Spark Of Light is about love and pain, but Picoult never tells you how to feel. Pro-life activists are labeled as "antis" and white men who want to control women's bodies. Pro-life activists are labeled as "antis" and white men who want to control women's bodies. What I Loved About A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult. Review: A Spark of Light. Some are there to perform the procedure or to assist in other ways. The story is narrated from the points of view of 10 different characters. Why do you think the author chose to include so many different perspectives? After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. FIVE P.M. Disabling it will result in some disabled or missing features. Does anybody need to read that? The main story line is about a day at a women’s health clinic. I mean really? This review and other non-spoilery reviews can be found. A Spark of Light follows two storylines. I have been anticipating this release for months – waiting, waiting, waiting – and I’m thrilled to report that it was every bit as wondrous and amazing as I’ve come to … A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult is a book that really took me by surprise. The story, which predominantly takes place at an abortion clinic in Mississippi, tackles the heavily opinionated debate on the moment in which a life becomes a life and how that relates to the option to end it. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Some are there to terminate or to prevent a pregnancy. Jodi Picoult is one of those reliable authors that manage to keep you turning the pages with every one of their books that you read. For me it was too repetitious and a chore to finish. Her ability to see something from every point of view is the kind of extreme empathy we need more of in this county. A Spark of Light is the twenty-third novel by popular American author, Jodi Picoult. She faithfully covers topical issues from all points of view and she does that again here with the issue of right to life vs right to chose. Then, in late morning, a desperate and distraught gunman bursts in and opens fire, taking all inside hostage. Told in reverse chronological order, the story examines the abortion issue from both sides by presenting characters who wind up in a hostage situation for a multitude of reasons. I originally applied for this book on NetGalley and was declined due to its popularity. She usually takes a controversial subject and introduces us to characters objectively.....making us think about all sides of an issue. One ‘side’ pretends that women don’t die due to limited abortion access. Who wants the denouement in the first chapter. Review by Ben Hunter. Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2018. This includes clinic staff, pro life people, the desperate gunman's tale, and clinic clients. This time it is about abortion. Title: A Spark of Light Author: Jodi Picoult Genre: Contemporary Fiction Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Publication date: Out now Review A backstory to how I came to be reading this book. Never afraid to confront controversy, Jodi Picoult, to my great disappointment, let me down. As someone who never reads the ending of a story first, this was very frustrating. A Spark of Light is incredibly timely. Oh my god you guys, I actually read this book months ago and I’m still thinking about it today. Captivating from the first few pages, Jodi Picoult’s most recent novel “a spark of light” is intense, thought provoking, and dynamic. Oh, we know this here. A book that couldn’t have been written by anyone but Jodi. A gunman enters the clinic and starts shooting. A Spark of Light | Jodi Picoult. I skipped large sections of the book because I needed it to end. You can grab your copy of A Spark of Light … Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2018. The narrative then proceeds to go back in time to the start of the day for the wide cast of characters presen. The lives of women are a thousand shades of gray.”, Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Fiction (2018), Lovelybooks Leserpreis Nominee for Romane (2020). In Jackson, Mississippi, a women’s clinic that provides, amongst other services, abortions is … Following her incisive novel Small Great Things (2016), which delved into the white supremacist movement, Jodi Picoult takes on the explosive topic of abortion rights in A Spark of Light. Did she appear somewhere else in the book besides the end under the name Elizabeth Goddard? A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult tackles an important subject: women’s reproductive rights and examines it from very different perspectives.The following book club questions will have spoilers so if you haven’t read the novel yet, check out my preview and review first. Olive told Peg she was just coming for a check-up. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published A plethora of perspectives about abortion; The Doctor Then, all that matters to him in the entire world is on the line. If you are pro-life, you will feel lectured in a very sanctimonious manner. Others are. I read that some people were having a hard time getting into the story, because of the way that it was written. October 2018. Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2018. The only character I actually cared about was Beth and there was no resolution to HER story. Her characters are believable and the plots unfold in a way that leaves one wondering and wanting more at every turn of the page. Once again, Jodi Picoult has given us a novel that is thought-provoking and poignant and powerful -- with a litany of compelling, deeply affecting characters. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Review: A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult written by Heather Caliendo November 8, 2018 A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult is a vivid story about sacrifice, pain and love. She made them look like a bunch of ignorant religious fanatics who are more concerned about religion than people. Some are there to perform the procedure or to assist in other ways. And then the cutesy artifice of writing the book in reverse. Picoult notes having spent time with those on the pro-life side before writing the book, but clearly did not connect with them. Picoult’s latest is a thought provoking read that will inspire conversation and appeal to both the author’s existing fans and newcomers to her work. And what a story it is: a hostage situation at the last clinic in Mississippi that performs abortions. There was no “spark” between the words and me. A “pro-life” gunman has stormed the place and is now deep in a hostage crisis. Picoult trips up with strained plotting in tale of attack on a Mississippi abortion centre Conclusion and Rating. So timely -- and so moving. I just found it in the Amazon store, clicked on the book and it was added. Did you … The Author’s Notes are far more intriguing than her fictional account of The Center, a women’s health facility in Jackson, Mississippi. Savita. Maybe she should go back to writing compelling characters instead of relying on gimmicks and making the hot issue of the day the main character of her story. Given the current political climate in America, this could have been a provocative story in the manner of SMALL GREAT THINGS, her magnum opus on racism. Out of the ten main characters in the book, only two are shown in the pro-life camp -- one is the sho. There are many themes ripe for discussion: secrets, abortion, the challenges of single father/motherhood, teen access to medical care, gun violence, racism, reluctant parenthood, medical ethics and many more. A book that grabs at both sides of the story, sucks you in and brings in all the feels! Yawn. Her way of dealing with timely issues is nothing but awe inspiring to another author who wishes to do the same. The protestors are outside, nervous women are inside. I really like Jodi Piccoult as a writer so I was excited to read her newest book. It’s been years since I’ve read Picoult. Hugh is called. Jodi Picoult wraps a story around controversial social issues and develops empathetic characters to hash out the problems and solutions. He is a police officer who is known for his skills of talking people down, talking them into surrendering. Didn’t care for this book, but there’s an asterisk on that. Then, in late morning, a desperate and distraught gunman bursts in … Was it just to hide/confuse the fact that Beth was George's daughter until it was revealed at towards the end? Savita. Save your money. This book was a waste of time. Even the main antagonist, the shooter, wasn't well written. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Doctors and nurses shuffle around to help their patients in the best possible way. This hot button issue is handled fairly and the research seems to be solid but I didn’t care for the reverse order of the story which minimizes rather than enhances this novel and you see the big reveal coming from a mile away. A Spark of Light didn't download immediately, and that was strange, but an easy fix. ‘Pretends’ is an accurate word here. Picoult’s latest takes the unusual tack of proceeding in reverse. It’s not my favourite Jodi Picoult book for that reason, although I will still be reading more from her. It’s been so long that I can’t recall which of her books I did read. Welcome back. How many found A Spark of Light to be another of JP's wonderful reads? 4,494 global ratings | 1,792 global reviews, Gimmicky, unresolved plot lines, and utterly disappointing, Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2018. The warm fall day starts like any other at the Center—a women’s reproductive health services clinic—its staff offering care to anyone who passes through its doors. There is also a clinic shooting, hostage situation, and fatalities. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in. I’ve always enjoyed her books because they make me think about both sides of an issue. She treated the abortion doctor like a saint. First, I love Jodi Picoult. Set in a women's reproductive health services clinic, now becoming a rare commodity, the story kick starts with a bang with a desperate gunman shooting at those within the clinic and holding them hostage. Every other character was left hanging, except the ones we knew were dead from Chapter 1. October 2nd 2018 Jodi Piccoult has an opinion about abortion. Start by marking “A Spark of Light” as Want to Read: Error rating book. Despite being hit over the head early on with "bad childhood, PTSD," yadda yadda, and even given what was his motivating factor, I couldn't see how quickly he had moved from the life he was living to mass murder. 1. Nope, not at all. The warm fall day starts like any other at the Center—a women’s reproductive health services clinic—its staff offering care to anyone who passes through its doors. Read Full Review >> Mixed Patricia Nicol, The Times UK Book Review: A Spark Of Light by Jodi Picoult Content Warning: The entire premise of A Spark Of Light is about abortion. Those in the antiabortion faction in A Spark of Light are as three-dimensional as those on the other side ... imbuing her characters — male and female, antiabortion and abortion rights advocates — with more shades of gray than a Pantone color wheel. Review: Author Jodi Picoult Throughout her career, but particularly in recent years, Jodi Picoult has proven herself a fearless author, willing to fictionalize any controversial topic. Picoult notes having spent time with those on the pro-life side before writing the book, but clearly did not connect with them. She stereotypes every character accordingly. Told in reverse chronological order, the story examines the abortion issue from both sides by presenting characters who wind up in a hostage situation for a multitude of reasons. I read it differently, and that made the difference. A Spark Of Light Review. To see what your friends thought of this book, I am a long time fan of Jodi Picoult’s books but found this one to be very disappointing. All seems normal. It's not that I had a hard time following it, but that the plot (what little plot there was) didn't warrant it. Review: A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult. Jodi Piccoult is such a gifted writer but this is not one of her best offerings. Reading a novel in which you already know the ending to seems a little daunting. I know this is Jodi Picoult and it will probably be a mega seller, but it just didn't do it for me.